Gangly Sherlock actor Benedict Cumberbatch has revealed he would love to swap his deerstalker hat for a long dark cape to fight crime as Batman – there's no word as of yet if Martin Freeman has agreed to squeeze himself into red and green lycra to play sidekick Robin.

Benedict revealed his superhero aspirations while at the DreamWorks Animation Comic-Con panel, where he was appearing alongside John Malkovich to promote Penguins of Madagascar.

The unlikely heartthrob has also been rumoured for a role in the new Doctor Strange flick, with some fans expecting him to be unveiled during this weekend's Marvel Studios panel.

REALLY? Could you imagine Cumberbatch as the Caped Crusader? [SPLASH]

But they may be left disappointed after he said: "As far as I'm aware it couldn't work out because I'm doing a little play called Hamlet in London.

"I don't think I could even if that was on the cards. It sounds like a fantastic project. It's a shame if I miss out, but who knows?"

But he threw fans a curve ball when MTV News asked if he had been in talks with the guys at Marvel.